Luxury Watches

[SmithNut]

I know this thread is about "Luxury" watches, but........

What about just "Vintage" watches that are cool??......

Here's one that's been a favorite since we found it in a Pawn Shop in Renton, WA. Omega watch retirement gift for someone in 1949...

I originally thought this was a retirement gift for a Boeing employee, since "Slaughter" was the name of Auburn, WA where Boeing had a plant. South of Seattle is an area that includes Renton, Kent and Auburn, and Boeing has been in these areas for years.

But, as a friend has advised, the name change to Auburn happened in 1897, and Boeing was not in the airplane business that early, so as it happens, my buddy (lifelong native of WA) informed me that there was an actual slaughter plant at the south end of Seattle in the early part of the 20th century, so this was likely a retirement gift for someone who retired from that one....

Nice old Omega "bumper" wind automatic, it's a pretty cool watch........

Enjoy.

 

[Sistema1927]

Since vintage has been mentioned...

In the same way that many of us look for birthyear guns, a couple of years ago I went looking for a birthyear watch. I picked up this 1956 Hamilton and had it serviced. I don't wear it much, since it is much smaller than what we are used to today.

 

[SmithNut]

Very nice Hamilton chrono, the military style strap makes it pop..

 

[SmithNut]

Here's my Hamilton Cape Horn, it get's worn often.....

Enjoy

 

[SmithNut]

Seamasters Old and New

Enjoy

 

[StrawHat]

This is my Grandfather's watch case. I got it from my elder brother. The story is Grandpa loaned it to his brother so he could impress a lady. He returned it when Grandpa was not home but told Gram he put it in the dresser drawer. Grandpa only wore this watch on special occasions as he had a "dollar" watch for everyday. When he eventually needed to dress for the occasion, he realized it was light! When he opened the cover the movement was missing! He confronted his brother and found out the movement had been pawned so the brother could "show the lady a good time"!

I received the case and the story. I have many pocket watches. My wife was intrigued by the story and set out on a mission to find an appropriate movement. She found and purchased this Elgin movement built in 1918. We have a master watchmaker locally who does work for me. He rebuilt the movement and installed it in the case.

I wear it to Church functions, evening dates with the Mrs. and very few other events. I won't lend it to my brother!

Kevin

 

[SmithNut]

Mk II Blackwater by Bill Yao

Not really vintage, but retro - an Homage to earlier Military style watches.
Bill Yao made this up to my specs in 2008 (or was 2007??), and it's still a favorite. It's showing wear but that's ok, that's what it was made for...

Enjoy

 

[SmithNut]

Another Hamilton

This is a manual wind Chrono......

Enjoy

 

[SmithNut]

WWII era Bulova watches - more Pawn Shop finds.....

Three pretty special watches..... All are mechanical winders....

Enjoy

 

[Sistema1927]

Very nice Hamilton chrono, the military style strap makes it pop..

That was my Veteran's Day present to myself this past year.

I pick up my Tag Hauer from being serviced tomorrow.

 

[Sistema1927]

Not really vintage, but retro - an Homage to earlier Military style watches.
Bill Yao made this up to my specs in 2008 (or was 2007??), and it's still a favorite. It's showing wear but that's ok, that's what it was made for...

Enjoy

What movement is in that?

I actually have a (gasp) Invicta faux Submariner diver that has a very nice Seiko NH35A movement. Maybe one day I will have the Invicta branding removed from it.

 

[SmithNut]

Pretty sure it's an ETA 2824-2

Here's an article that mentions it........

Chronoarticle: MkII MMT Blackwater


Seiko makes some very nice movements & watches, I have a couple of their Vietnam era automatic dive watches, love them....

I'll have to take some pics of them and other Seiko's when I get a chance, lots of their modern Seiko 5 watches are very nice.....

 

[SmithNut]

I HAVE NO TIME FOR ROLEX, OMEGA ALL THE WAY

Rolex.... You look good showing up late... !!

 

[stu1ritter]

Rolex Explorer I that I bought in 1979 and my old Omega Constellation bought in the late 60's. Both get serviced every once in awhile and seem to keep excellent time.
The smaller ladies Rolex my wife and I bought in the Caymen Islands around 1979. Other than going in for service, the watch had never been off of my wife's wrist. After 40 years of non-stop wearing the gold links in the band wore out along with the bracelet pivot pins. Given at the time it needed to go in for service and the cost of the replacement band (wife not interested in anything other than original) we sold it in 2020 for what we paid for it in 1979 as is, as was.
I've owned the Hamilton since the mid 1960's and the gold chain came from the Patrons of Art and Music salvage shop in San Francisco, in 1972.
I have some more Omega's around here somewhere, I'll photo them when I find them.

Stu

 

[03hemi]

The mother ship lands tomorrow...

 

[SmithNut]

A couple more Omegas

Joining the one already shown, here's a couple more in this trio shot.....

Oh, I miss the days when Pawn Shops were independent and selling lots of the cool stuff that you don't see much anymore....

Enjoy...

 

[crazyphil]

I gave my wife this Lady Hamilton way back when. She passed away
February 11, 2020. I had it cleaned & adjusted, and gave it to our
great-granddaughter for her birthday. The case is 24 ct. white gold,
and six diamonds in the wrist band. I would say it's kinda sorta luxury.

 

[The Big D]

Rolex and MRI!

Had a MRI on my knee a couple weeks ago…first MRI experience.

Tech told me to secure my belt (metal buckle) and all other metal in a locked room. I did not think about my Rolex, and it was covered by a long sleeve shirt so she did not see it.

Only my body from the waist down was in the machine.

Finished the procedure, gathered my gear, and went about my daily business 'til I repaired to a bar for happy hour which starts at 1600.

Bartender said 'you're early today.' Looked at my watch; lo and behold it read 1527.

Given the MRI lasted about a half hour I must presume it had effectively stopped my watch for a period of time.

To be sure, I was a bit concerned regarding permanent damage to it but after resetting the time it has worked perfectly, as usual.

Lesson learned!

Be safe.

 

[demkofour]

Bought this about a year ago, as I really admired the white face. I originally wanted the black OEM Omega rubber strap, but it came through with the stainless band. I also purchased a Zealande brand rubber strap to change it up a bit. I can't say I am disappointed on either count…

 

[SmithNut]

Adding a few more "Vintage" watches to this thread....

A couple more Bulova favorites.....

The Snorkel dive watch on the right is a pretty cool automatic watch, but I'm careful with it as I'm not sure I can find any bracelet parts should I break it..... "_

The other is a neat "smaller size" Gentleman's watch (mechanical wind), with a gold case.

Enjoy....